Banyan Tree has announced a major global development and refurbishment programme at Arabian Travel Market 2011, with Oman, Jordan and Egypt marked as key markets for openings over the next five years.

At the event, Banyan Tree is showcasing its luxury resorts including the newly launched beach front pool villas in Ras Al Khaimah, as well as the Group’s signature resorts in Seychelles, Maldives and Phuket.

Luca Deplano, Vice President Marketing, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts is one of the keynote speakers at ATM 2011’s Luxury Travel Forum, where he will address the ever evolving needs of the discerning luxury traveller.

“As the Middle East market is a key development destination for Banyan Tree, the ATM exhibition is an ideal platform for us to display our resorts and to further explore the potential of this dynamic region. We are currently looking at expanding in markets in Oman, Jordan and Egypt over the next five years,” commented Deplano

Banyan Tree has been nominated in a number of categories at tonight’s World Travel Awards 2011 Middle East Ceremony, which takes place at the Armani Hotel Dubai.

Since the launch of Banyan Tree Al Wadi in January 2010, the resort welcomed many guests across the GCC and awareness for the hotel experience from the falconry to the spa has spread throughout the region. A new villa experience has recently been launched with the Banyan Tree Al Wadi Beach Villas, offering 32 spectacular pool villas just 20 minutes from the desert resort next to the Al Hamra golf course.

Other properties that have been added to Banyan Tree’s current portfolio include Angsana Laguna Phuket, where Banyan Tree announced the take-over, closure and major renovations (USD 30million) of the Sheraton Grande Laguna from 1st July, for the resort to re-open on 1 December 2011 as the rebranded Angsana Laguna Phuket. The Angsana-branded resort, sister brand of Banyan Tree, will introduce an innovative holiday experience, targeted to individual and group travellers looking for a stylish vacation.

In line with its expansion plans, Banyan Tree also introduced the concept of a private resort with the DoublePool Villas at Banyan Tree Phuket. The 24-DoublePool villas have a land area of between 1,300 to 1,500 sq.m each, in one, two and three bedroom configurations. Moreover, Angsana Bintan resort on Bintan Island, Indonesia, is currently undergoing a major refurbishment programme, carried out in a phase which is scheduled to be open in June 2011.

To date, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts offers close to 30 resorts and hotels, 65 spas, over 80 galleries and 3 golf courses across China, Thailand, Indian Ocean, Mexico, Indonesia and the Middle East.  The Group is currently on an aggressive expansion phase, and expects to double its number of properties by 2013 with a number of hotels scheduled to open this year including Banyan Tree Macau in China on 15th May, Banyan Tree Riverside/ Shanghai, Angsana Hangzhou, and Angsana Balaclava/Mauritius.